THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today in Baghdad, U.N. Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, announced the members of Iraq's new interim government. Consulting with hundreds of Iraqis from a variety of backgrounds, Mr. Brahimi has recommended a
team that possesses the talent, commitment and resolve to guide
Iraq
through the challenges that lie ahead.
On June 30th, this interim government will assume full sovereignty
and
will oversee all ministries and all functions of the Iraqi state.
Those ministries will report to Prime Minister Allawi, who will be
responsible for the day-to-day operations of Iraq's interim
government. Dr. Allawi is a strong leader. He endured exile for
decades and survived assassination attempts by Saddam's regime. He
was trained as a physician, has worked as a businessman and has
always
been an Iraqi patriot.
Prime Minister Allawi and Mr. Brahimi announced Iraq's interim
President, Ghazi Al-Yawar, an engineer from northern Iraq. They
also
announced two deputy presidents, Dr. Ibrahim Jaafari, who is a
physician born in Karbala; and Dr. Rowsch Shaways, a prominent
political and military leader who also has been a long-time
opponent
of Saddam's tyranny.
The new 33-member cabinet announced today reflects new leadership,
drawn from a broad cross section of Iraqis. Five are regional
officials, six are women, and the vast majority of government
ministries will have new ministers. The foremost tasks of this new
interim government will be to prepare Iraq for a national election
no
later than January of next year, and to work with our coalition to
provide the security that will make that election possible. That
election will choose a transitional national assembly, the first
freely elected, truly representative national governing body in
Iraq's
history.
Earlier today I spoke to Secretary General Kofi Annan. I
congratulated him on the U.N.'s role in forming this new
government.
We also discussed the preparation for national elections and our
common work on a new Security Council resolution that will express
international support for Iraq's interim government, reaffirm the
world's security commitment to the Iraqi people and encourage other
U.N. members to join in the effort of building a free Iraq.
Last week, I outlined the five steps to helping Iraq achieve
democracy
and freedom. We will hand over authority to a sovereign Iraqi
government, help establish security, continue rebuilding Iraq's
infrastructure, encourage more international support and move
toward a
national election that will bring forward new leaders empowered by
the
Iraqi people. The naming of the new interim government brings us
one
step closer to realizing the dream of millions of Iraqis -- a fully
sovereign nation with a representative government that protects
their
rights and serves their needs.
Many challenges remain. Today's violence underscores that freedom
in
Iraq is opposed by violent men who seek the failure not only of
this
interim government, but of all progress toward liberty. We will
stand
with the Iraqi people in defeating the enemies of freedom and those
who oppose democracy in Iraq. The killers know that Iraq is the
central front in the war on terror. The return of tyranny to Iraq
would embolden the terrorists, leading to more bombings, more
beheadings and more murders of the innocent around the world.
The rise of a free and self-governing Iraq will deny terrorists a
base
of operation, discredit their narrow ideology, and give momentum to
reformers across the region. A free Iraq will be a decisive blow
to
terrorism at the heart of its power, and a victory for the
civilized
world and for the security of America. The will of Iraqis and our
coalition is firm. We will not be deterred by violence and
terror.
We will stand together and ensure that the future of Iraq is a
future
of freedom.
I'll take some questions. Hunt.
Q. Mr. President, you just spoke about more international
support.
With the new government and the expected Security Council
resolution,
do you expect -- what do you expect in the way of other countries
to
come forward with major pledges of troops for Iraq? And do you
think
there's going to be more violence as the turnover occurs?
THE PRESIDENT: I think, on the second half of that question, yes,
I
believe there will be more violence, because there are still
violent
people who want to stop progress. Listen, their strategy is --
hasn't
changed. They want to kill innocent lives to shake our will and to
discourage the people inside Iraq. That's what they want to do.
And
they're not going to shake our will.
In terms of whether or not there would be a major -- you said major
commitment of new troops? Is that the adjective you used,
"major"?
Q Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know if there will be a major commitment of
new troops, but I think there will be a major focus on helping Iraq
to
become a free country. And the next step in this process is to get
a
United Nations Security Council resolution. And to this end, I
have
been speaking with a variety of world leaders to encourage them to
--
by telling them we're willing to work with them to achieve language
we
can live with, but, more importantly, language that the Iraqi
government can live with.
And Kofi and I talked today, and he wants to hear from the new
Iraqi
government, and I don't blame him. And we heard from the new Iraqi
government, by the way, today, and the new Prime Minister who stood
up
and thanked the American people, for which I was grateful. He was
speaking to the -- to the mothers and dads and wives and husbands
of
our brave troops who have helped them become a free country, and I
appreciated his strong statement.
Steve.
Q Sir, where you surprised at the way the Governing Council
took
command of the selection process? And are you concerned that the
new
President has had some criticisms of the United States?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't -- from my perspective, Mr. Brahimi
made
the decisions and brought their names to the Governing Council. As
I
understand it, the Governing Council simply opined about names. It
was Mr. Brahimi's selections and
-- Ambassador Bremer and Ambassador Blackwill were instructed by me
to
work with Mr. Brahimi. As we say in American sports parlance, he
was
the quarterback. And it seemed like a good group to me. I mean,
they're diverse, as I mentioned, a number of women are now involved
in
the government, which is a positive step for the citizens of Iraq.
Go ahead.
Q The new President has had some criticisms of the United
States.
Are you --
THE PRESIDENT: The new President has had some criticisms?
Q -- concerned about that?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Mr. Brahimi put together a government that's
going to be, first and foremost, loyal to the Iraqi people. And
that's important. It's a government with which I believe we can
work.
Mr. Allawi said some strong statements today about security matters
on
the ground, about how he wants to work with the coalition forces to
provide security so that the country can go toward elections.
But, you know, I'm -- what I'm most for is for people who are
willing
to work toward a free Iraq. That's my concern. And it sounds like
to
me that these men are patriots, men and women are patriots who
believe
in the future of Iraq. And if there is some criticism of the
United
States, so be it. The end result is a peaceful Iraq in the heart
of
the Middle East.
Gregory.
Q Mr. President, this new Iraqi government and others on the
Security Council have expressed an interest in this interim
government
having substantial power over decisions -- military security
decisions. This government has been clear that when it comes to
protecting U.S. troops, American commanders will do everything that
has to be done.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q Well, as you go to Europe now, in the next couple of days,
what
are you prepared to do to bridge that gap, to give this new
independent government the sort of independence it's really asking
for, while retaining this essential role that you have to have in,
you
know, securing Iraq?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I think -- listen, the American people need to
be
assured that if our troops are in harm way -- in harm's way, they
will
-- they will be able to defend themselves without having to check
with
anybody else, other than their commander. At the same time, I can
assure the Iraqi citizens, as well as our friends in Europe, that
we
have done these kind of security arrangements before -- witness,
Afghanistan, there is a sovereign government in Afghanistan, there
are
U.S. troops and coalition troops there, and they're working very
well
together.
The Iraqis will have their own chain of command. And that's going
to
be very important. In other words, the Iraqi army will report up
to a
chain of command of Iraqis, not coalitions or Americans. And I
think
that's going to be an important part of the spirit and the
capabilities of an Iraqi army. But I'm confident we can bridge any
gap, David, because we have done it in country after country.
Terry.
Q Mr. President, some will see the presence of Iraqi exiles
--
some of whom have received money from the United States government
in
the past -- as proof, in their minds, that this is a puppet
government
of the United States. Could you answer that criticism? And
explain
what role, if any, you had in the names, as they --
THE PRESIDENT: I had no role. I mean, occasionally, somebody
said,
this person may be interested, or that -- but I had no role in
picking, zero.
Secondly, in terms of whether or not our government helped, we did
help some of the figures now in the interim government. We helped
them because they were fierce anti-Saddam people. We helped their
organizations, which were -- which believed that the tyranny of
Saddam
was bad for the Iraqi people.
Now, it's going to be up to the leaders to prove their worth to the
Iraqi citizens. In other words, the leaders are going to have to
show
the Iraqis that they're independent, smart, capable, nationalistic,
and believe in the future of Iraq. And our job is to work with
them.
But the decision-making process is very important for our citizens
to
understand. The decision-making process is changing. Bremer comes
home and the new government replaces Ambassador Bremer. And at the
same time, we stand up an embassy that will interface with the new,
sovereign Iraqi government.
One of the interesting things I've heard, Terry, from other
leaders,
are you really going to pass full sovereignty? And the answer is,
yes, we're going to pass full sovereignty. And the Iraqi
government
will need the help of a lot of people. And we're willing to be a
participant in helping them get to the elections.
And Terry asked whether there will be more violence. I think there
will be. You know, I hate to predict violence, but I just
understand
the nature of the killers. This guy, Zarqawi, an al Qaeda
associate
-- who was in Baghdad, by the way, prior to the removal of Saddam
Hussein -- is still at large in Iraq. And as you might remember,
part
of his operational plan was to sow violence and discord amongst the
various groups in Iraq by cold-blooded killing. And we need to
help
find Zarqawi so that the people of Iraq can have a more bright --
bright future.
The other thing we've got to do is work on reconstruction, to help
rebuild parts of that country that suffered mightily under Saddam
and
are being, you know -- parts of which are being destroyed by these
--
by these terrorists.
Plante.
Q Mr. President, if the decision-making is not fully in the
hands
of the Iraqis, will that extend to them asking us to leave, pull
out
U.S. troops? And will you accede to that if they ask?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Mr. Allawi said today the troops need to be
there. And so --
Q But all of them?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, whatever it takes to get the mission done.
And
we look forward to working with the Iraq Prime Minister and the
Iraq
Defense Minister to help secure the country. As you know,
circumstances change on the ground and I've told the American
people
and our commanders that we'll be flexible and we'll meet those
circumstances as they arise.
And what is important for the American people to know is that if a
troop is in harm's way, that troop -- the chain of command of that
troop will be to a U.S. military commander. In terms of the
strategy
as to how to help Iraq become secure enough to have free elections,
we'll work closely with the new Iraqi government to achieve those
objectives. There may be times when the Iraqis say, we can handle
this ourselves, get out of the way; we're plenty capable of moving
into secure a town or to secure a situation. And there may be
times
when they say, you know, we've got our hands full, why don't you
join
us in an operation. And we will collaborate closely with the new
defense ministry.
It's a change of attitude in Iraq, in that they now have got the
decision-making capabilities. Mr. Allawi today, I repeat, stood up
in
front of the world and said two things that caught my attention.
One,
he thanked America, and I appreciated that a lot. And I think the
American people needed to hear that, that in the new leader there
is
this understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices that our
country has been through. And he also said, we look forward to
working with the coalition and forces to help secure the country.
Q Given the perception --
THE PRESIDENT: I'm converting this into a full-blown press
conference; it's such a beautiful day. (Laughter.) Do I get
credit
for it? (Laughter.)
Q Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, good.
Q Given the perception out there, especially in Iraq and
among
some at the U.N. that Brahimi was strong armed, are you confident
that
this new interim government has enough legitimacy within Iraq to
hold
together all the various factions there that threaten to go at each
other's throats?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that's a -- listen, yes, I am confident.
But
time will tell whether or not the leaders turn out to be as capable
and strong as Mr. Brahimi thinks they will be.
One of the things I think, Richard, that will keep the country
intact
is the -- is this notion of free elections. I mean, it appears to
me
that one of the things that does unite the Iraqi people is the deep
desire to be able to elect their government. And as we head toward
free elections, I think it will make it easier for the interim
government to do their job.
Eddie.
Q Mr. President --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, Ed, I'm anxiously awaiting.
Q I'd like ask you about your goals for this -- your trip
coming
up later this week to Europe, vis-a-vis your plan on the Middle
East
peace initiative. What do you hope in a concrete way to bring
home?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm giving a speech at the Air Force Academy that
will
help answer your question.
Q I won't be there. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Ed, they do have C-Span, you know. (Laughter.)
I'll
be glad to rent it for you for an hour. (Laughter.)
I'm going to talk about the war on terror, the clash of ideology.
Part of winning the war on terror is to spread freedom and
democracy
in the Middle East. The speech will help set up the types of
conversations I will continue to have overseas and at Sea Island,
Georgia -- which is the need for us to understand that democracy
can
take hold in the Middle East.
It's important for our partners to understand that I don't view it
as
American democracy, nor do I think it's going to happen overnight.
I
will remind them that the Articles of Confederation was a rather
bumpy period for American democracy. And so we're talking about
reform in their image, but reform at the insistence and help --
with
the help of the free world.
And I think it's possible and I know it's necessary that we work
toward democracy in the Middle East. Because a society that is not
free and not democratic is a society that's likely to breed
resentment
and anger. And, therefore, a society that is -- makes the
recruitment
of young terrorists more likely.
And that's what -- and so the idea is to find common spirit and our
willingness to work in a variety of ways in the greater Middle East
to
achieve democratic societies to work with reformers, to work on
education processes that teach people to read and write and add and
subtract, not to hate. And always reminding people that the war on
terror is not a war against a particular religion, and that the war
on
terror is not a war against a particular civilization. It's a war
against people who have got this perverted vision about what the
world
should look like.
And at my Air Force Academy speech, which you won't be at, I'll
remind
people that part of their objective is to drive the United States
from
a country -- countries in the Middle East, so that they can flow
their
hatred into a vacuum. And it's very important that we not
retreat.
But not only stay the ground, but also work toward democratic
institutions and reform.
Yes, sir.
Q Mr. President, are you confident this interim government
wants
U.S. troops to stay, at least for the short-term?
THE PRESIDENT: I am confident, yes, sir. And I am confident
because
of the remarks of Mr. Allawi, and I am told by people on the ground
there that they feel -- that they, the Iraqis, feel comfortable in
asking for us to stay so that we can help provide the security.
Listen, the Iraqis I have talked to are the first to say that the
security situation must be improved. And they recognize that there
is
a lot of work between now and the election in order to improve the
security situation, starting with making sure the chain of command
within the Iraqi army and the civilian forces and the police forces
is
strong and linked. As well as to make sure that these Iraqi forces
are equipped and properly trained.
As I said in the statement last Monday, a week ago yesterday, that
we
saw that there were some weaknesses on the ground in Iraq when the
heat got on. Some didn't stand up and do their duty, and we're
addressing those weaknesses now. And it's going to take time to
fully
address them.
But there is a deep desire by the Iraqis, don't get me wrong, to
run
their own affairs, and to be in a position where they can handle
their
own security measures. And I think they will be in that position.
But I know that they're not going to ask us to depart until they're
comfortable in that position. And Mr. Allawi, again, I referred to
his statements today. I thought they were good strong statements.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Chalabi is an Iraqi leader
that's
fallen out of favor within your administration. I'm wondering if
you
feel that he provided any false information, or are you
particularly
--
THE PRESIDENT: Chalabi?
Q Yes, with Chalabi.
THE PRESIDENT: My meetings with him were very brief. I mean, I
think
I met with him at the State of the Union and just kind of working
through the rope line, and he might have come with a group of
leaders.
But I haven't had any extensive conversations with him.
Mr. Brahimi made the decision on Chalabi, not the United States.
Mr.
Brahimi was the person that put together the group. And I haven't
spoken to him or anybody on the ground as to why Chalabi wasn't
taken.
In terms of information --
Q I guess I'm asking, do you feel like he misled your
administration, in terms of what the expectations were going to be
going into Iraq?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't remember anybody walking into my office
saying, Chalabi says this is the way it's going to be in Iraq.
Let me step back there and remind you that going into Iraq, we had
some -- we had a belief that certain things -- that we had to plan
for
certain courses of action. One, that the oil production, the Iraqi
oil production would be disrupted through sabotage or Saddam's own
whims. And it didn't happen. We also thought there would be major
refugee flows -- that didn't happen -- or a lot of hunger, and it
didn't happen.
What did happen was, as a result of us storming through the
country,
many of Saddam's elite guard kind of saw what was happening -- laid
down -- well, didn't lay down their arms -- stored their arms and
hid,
and then regrouped. As well as what happened was is that some of
the
foreign fighters there were encouraged and bolstered by a foreign
fighter that had been there during the period, Mr. Zarqawi. And
it's
been tough, tough fighting. I fully recognize that.
However, I just want to remind you that the mission of the enemy is
to
get us to retreat from Iraq. Is to say, well, it's been tough
enough,
now it's time to go home -- which we are not going to do. We will
stand with this Iraqi government.
Today, the reason I'm out here is because this is a major step
toward
the emergence of a free Iraq. This is a very hopeful day for the
Iraqi people, and a hopeful day for the American people, because
the
American people want to see a free Iraq as well. They understand
what
I know. A free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East is going to be
a
game-changer, an agent of change. It's going to send a clear
signal
that the terrorists can't win and that -- and that a free society
is a
better way to lift the hopes and aspirations of the average
person.
Yes, Holly.
Q So far, sir, Congress hasn't responded to your call to do
anything about rising oil prices. I mean, you've already said you
want them to pass your energy bill, and they aren't. So what are
you
--
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, so go ask Congress why they haven't passed the
energy bill. And I'll repeat it again: Congress, pass the energy
bill.
Q But what more can you do as prices rise?
THE PRESIDENT: I can continue calling upon Congress to pass the
energy bill and to make sure the American consumers are being
treated
fairly. But what you're seeing at the gas pumps is something I've
been warning for two years, and that is that we're hooked on
foreign
sources of energy. And that if we don't become less dependent on
foreign sources of energy, we will find higher prices at our gas
pumps. It's precisely what happened.
Had we drilled in ANWR back in the mid-'90s, we'd be producing an
additional million barrels a day, which would be taking enormous
pressure off the American consumer.
Yes, ma'am.
Q Mr. President, you were saying the United States wants to
stand
with Iraqi people. Would you like to go to Iraq before the end of
the
year and stand with the interim government and --
THE PRESIDENT: I would like to, but I'm not so sure that would be
wise, yet.
Q It's not secure?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't know. You're asking me to project
six
months down the road -- five months down the road. And that's the
classic hypothetical.
Will Iraq be secure enough for me to go to Iraq? I would hope it
would be. And if it is, then whether or not I can go is another
uestion.
Q Would you like to go, though?
THE PRESIDENT: I'd love to go back to Iraq at some point in time,
I
really would. I'd like to be able to stand up and say, let me tell
you something about America. America is a land that's willing to
sacrifice on your behalf. We sent our sons and daughters here so
you
can be free. And not only that, we are a compassionate country.
We
want to help you rebuild your schools and your hospitals. I'd like
to
do that, I really would.
I'd like to also go to Afghanistan. And, by the way, the reports
from
Afghanistan, at least the ones I get, are very encouraging. You
know,
we've got people who have been there last year and have been back
this
year report a different attitude. And they report people have got
a
sparkle in their eye. And women now all of a sudden no longer fear
the future but believe that we're there to stay the course and we
will
help a free society emerge.
Both of which, a free society and a free Afghanistan, are very
important to a future, a future world that is peaceful. Because
freedom is the bulwark of the value system inculcated in those
countries.
Yes. Yes, you, Dallas Morning News. Hillman.
Q How close are you to an agreement with the United Nations
for a
new resolution on Iraq?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think our negotiator, the Secretary of
State,
feels we're making good progress.
Q A week? Two weeks?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know, Hillman. That's like saying, can I
go
to Iraq in five months. Please. I thought I set the tone for
hypotheticals. I don't know what it is.
But as soon as possible -- I'd like to get it done tomorrow, if
possible. And so we're working with all the parties. But you know
how the United Nations is. Sometimes it can move slowly and
sometimes
it can move quickly, and the quicker the better as far as I'm
concerned, because it sends a message to the new Iraqi government,
the
world stands with you.
Yes, sir. Only one question per major paper. Nice try.
(Laughter.)
Q You're about to have a series of meetings with foreign
leaders
in which Iraq certainly will loom very large. You ruled out, a
moment
ago, when you said you don't expect a major commitment of troops to
come out of those meetings.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q What, realistically, do you expect to come out of these
meetings
regarding --
THE PRESIDENT: A commitment to work together, a commitment that we
all understand the importance of succeeding in Iraq. An
understanding
that terrorism will flourish and be emboldened if we're not
successful
in promoting a free government in Iraq. And a -- and I think, from
my
conversations, people understand that. But it will give us a
chance
to sit in the same room and talk about that. And that's an
important
commitment.
In other words, once you get that in your mind that a free Iraq is
important for world security, then it makes it easier for us to
work
together on certain matters. And, look, we're still getting beyond
the period where we had disagreements about Iraq and now there's
common ground, that a free Iraq is essential to our respective
securities. And, more important, is a very important signal to
people
in the Middle East that it's possible to live in a free society.
And
that's an important message, as well.
It's important for the Iranian -- those who love freedom in Iran to
see. I mean, listen, a free Iraq on the border of Iran is going to
send a very clear signal to those who want to be free, that a free
society is very possible. It's a hopeful period. And I'm so
appreciative of the United Nations and Mr. Brahimi's work. It's
hard
work to do what he did. He did a lot of good work and came up with
what looks like a very strong government.
Deans, fine looking suit -- the white is back, so are the bucks.
(Laughter.)
Q Thank you, sir. Mr. President, there have been several
uestions about this tightly sequenced statesmanship you have
coming
up in the next several weeks. I'm wondering if you can say -- or
do
you expect -- how soon do you think representatives of this interim
government will actually go to the U.N. Security Council and plead
their case for a resolution?
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q And, two, do you expect to use the G8, do you have the --
will
the resolution be on the agenda there at the G8? And where do you
think we'll be by the time we get to Istanbul?
THE PRESIDENT: I would hope that the new government sends somebody
to
New York soon. As a matter of fact, I don't think you're going to
see
much on the resolution, to answer your question, Bob, until the
Iraqis
come and make their case about why a resolution is needed. And I
would like to see that person come as quickly as possible.
We are going to have leaders from the greater Middle East in Sea
Island. And as to whether or not a member of the new government
shows
up in Sea Island from Iraq, I just don't know. But we will talk
about
Iraq. We'll talk about Iraq in the context of the spread of
democracy. And the countries that will be there will be sharing
their
experiences with democratic institutions in the Muslim world. And
that will also serve as a reminder to the people of Iraq that they
can
succeed.
In terms of NATO, obviously we'll be discussing Iraq at NATO.
Again,
I don't expect any additional troop commitments out of NATO. I do
expect there to be continuing NATO interest in Iraq. As you know,
NATO has provided a headquarters, or support for the Polish
multinational division -- Polish-led multinational division. But
we'll also make sure that we continue to focus NATO on
Afghanistan. A
peaceful and free Afghanistan is essential to the -- to our
mission,
to our objectives of encouraging the spread of democracy.
President Karzai, who I believe is coming soon -- and will be at
Sea
Island by the way -- another good example of someone who has
assumed
responsibility in a country that had been savaged by barbaric
leadership, is doing a fine job. And he will be able to help
people
understand how to ask for help, as well as what help is available.
I
am very impressed by him and impressed by his leadership.
Last question.
Q Mr. President --
Q Mr. President, could you speak about Sudan, the peace
agreement
in Sudan and how that nation has turned away from terrorism?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I appreciate that. The question is on Sudan.
Recently, there was a signature on a document that took us a step
closer toward achieving our objective. However, it is very
important
for the Sudanese government to understand we're watching very
carefully, the hunger, the brutal human conditions in the western
part
of their country, and that we expect there to be an accommodation
to
the relief agencies as well as the American government to get aid
to
those people. We're closer to an agreement in Sudan, it's a very
important agreement. And we will continue to work the issue really
hard.
Q Mr. President, can I ask about one of the things that the
new
Prime Minister in Iraq has said about your administration? He has
said that many of the postwar problems in Iraq have been from lack
of
proper planning, and that America bears direct responsibility for
that. How do you answer that?
THE PRESIDENT: I would answer him that we had a plan in place, we
succeeded in making sure that the oil flow continues so that he as
Prime Minister has now got roughly 2.5 million barrels a day of
Iraqi
oil for the benefit of the Iraqi people, that there wasn't major
disruptions of food, so that people didn't starve. In other words,
we
were very successful in certain things.
But there is no question that the security situation on the ground
is
hard and tough. And my comment to him is, we will be flexible and
wise and work with him to continue to secure Iraq; that our
mission
is his mission, which is to get to elections so the country can be
a
free country.
Again, I think it's instructive that Mr. Brahimi picked leaders who
are willing to speak their mind, which is fine with me. I fully
understand a leader willing to speak their mind. I kind of like
doing
it myself, you know. And all the new Prime Minister needs to know
is
that I look forward to a close relationship with him, to do what's
best for the Iraqi people. That's our interest. Our interest is a
free Iraq. It's in their interest and it's in the world's
interest.
And it's something -- these are historic times. And I am pleased
with
the progress, the political progress being made today, and vow to
the
people of Iraq that we will finish the mission. We will do our
job.
And we expect them to do their job and will work with them to do
so.